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NeoGraft® vs Strip

NEOGRAFT AUTOMATED FUE VS. STRIP HARVESTING METHOD

As with all facets of the cosmetic enhancement industry, the field of hair restoration is constantly evolving and changing, as technological advancements facilitate improvements upon previously utilized methods suffering from flaws or drawbacks in terms of patient care and/or treatment results. Due a lack of viable alternative methods, the “strip harvesting” method, otherwise known as follicular unit transplantation (FUT), has remained the most commonly performed hair transplantation procedure for many years; however, with the recent development and success of the NeoGraft automated follicular unit extraction (FUE) method, the landscape of the hair restoration field appears to be dramatically changing for the better.

By any standards, the strip harvesting method is considered a surgically invasive procedure, involving the surgical excision of a section of scalp at the back of the hair, which creates a significant wound that must be stitched or stapled together (resulting in a lengthy and conspicuous linear scar on the back of the scalp). The excised segment of the scalp is then dissected into sections, and technicians separate it into smaller, micrograft units comprised of 1-4 hairs. The physician then uses a needle or scalpel to create the new hairline and recipient sites, before using forceps to place the grafts into the newly created sites. Following the strip harvesting procedure, patients generally require prescription medication to control their donor site pain, and must refrain from strenuous physical activity for weeks (and sometimes months) until their linear incision has fully healed. Strip harvesting patients who prefer to wear their hair in a very short style may find the linear scar on the donor site problematic.

In the late 90s, the manual follicular unit extraction (FUE) technique was developed as a minimally invasive hair transplantation method that offered a number of solutions to the drawbacks of the strip harvesting method in terms of safety, decreased bleeding, fewer complications and faster recovery time. The manual FUE hair transplant was clearly the most beneficial option in terms of patient care and safety; however, the use of forceps during the manual follicular extraction posed the risk of damaging the hair follicles, and the arduous and time consuming nature of the procedure made the manual FUE technique too costly to be a realistic option for most patients.

Fortunately, science continues to advance and improve upon previous methodologies, and with the development of the NeoGraft Automated FUE and Implantation System, practitioners were able to overcome the efficiency problems of the manual FUE technique, while maintaining the valuable safety benefits. The NeoGraft system is the first and only Class One FDA Listed automated medical device approved for hair restoration procedures, and NeoGraft’s No Touch” technique eliminates the use of forceps during harvesting, protecting the hair follicles from any potential damage, and ensuring that they are robust and healthy prior to being re-implanted. The NeoGraft device allows hair follicles to be removed individually rather than excising an entire strip of scalp, and eliminates the difficulties of the manual FUE procedure by reducing the overall hair transplant procedure time. Already being touted as the “new wave” of hair restoration, NeoGraft provides patients with beautiful results using a minimally invasive, nearly pain-free procedure that does not necessitate any incisions, scarring, or post-procedural hairstyle or activity restrictions.

CONTACT THE ATLANTA CENTER FOR HAIR RESTORATION

At the Atlanta Center for Hair Restoration (ACHR), located in Roswell, Georgia, we proudly offer the NeoGraft Automated FUE hair restoration procedure to ensure that our patients achieve the best possible hair transplantation results with the safest and least invasive techniques. The entire staff at ACHR, led by Dr. Marcia Byrd, M.D. and Dr. Paul McCluskey, M.D., have worked to create a warm, welcoming office environment where patients feel comfortable and at ease during their hair transplantation procedure.

ACHR’s overarching treatment philosophy is premised on the idea of procedural customization, meaning that our doctors will take the time to tailor your hair restoration treatment plan to address your individual needs, hairline structure, and aesthetic goals. If you would like additional information about NeoGraft hair restoration treatment at ACHR, please contact our office today. We look forward to speaking with you, and to setting up your complimentary initial consultation with one of our experienced and skillful doctors.